Poland marks end of World War II

Poland marks end of World War II

Czarek Sokolowski, AP

Foreign leaders taking part in a ceremony marking 70 years since the end of World War II, light candles at the monument to Gdansk shipyard workers killed by the security and the armed forces in 1970, in front of the shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, on Thursday, May 7, 2015. Present are U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, European Council President Donald Tusk, a native of nearby city of Gdansk, and the presidents of Ukraine and several Central European countries.

Foreign leaders taking part in a ceremony marking 70 years since the end of World War II, light candles at the monument to Gdansk shipyard workers killed by the security and the armed forces in 1970, in front of the shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, on Thursday, May 7, 2015. Present are U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, European Council President Donald Tusk, a native of nearby city of Gdansk, and the presidents of Ukraine and several Central European countries.

Visitors stand in front of a photograph of the last Home Army (AK) commander, General Leopold Okulicki, made in 1945 at the NKVD Lubyanka prison, displayed in an exhibition, entitled '45. The End of the War in 45 Exhibits, at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, Poland, 06 May 2015. The temporary exhibition, organized by the Museum of World War II in Gdansk, presents the exhibits, which illustrate the Polish experience of the Second World War.

Visitors stand in front of a photograph of the last Home Army (AK) commander, General Leopold Okulicki, made in 1945 at the NKVD Lubyanka prison, displayed in an exhibition, entitled '45. The End of the War in 45 Exhibits, at the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, Poland, 06 May 2015. The temporary exhibition, organized by the Museum of World War II in Gdansk, presents the exhibits, which illustrate the Polish experience of the Second World War.

Poland's president is leading international commemorations on Thursday marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, a gathering meant as an alternative celebration to Moscow's Red Square parade two days later.